Manila: Police have recommended filing charges against suspended acting Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) chief Mao Aplasca in relation to last week's shooting incident at the Senate building. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has pointed to violations of security protocol as the basis for the charges.
According to Philippines News Agency, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert AA Morico II stated that criminal complaints will be filed against Aplasca and at least two of his personnel, who were found to have discharged their firearms during the controversial incident on May 13. Their actions reportedly violated the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11917, known as the Private Security Services Industry Act, enacted in 2022.
Morico explained that the IRR of RA 11917 does not allow for a warning shot as part of the six stages required before the use of lethal force. These stages include alert presence, verbal communication, physical restraints, use of chemical agents, temporary incapacitation, and finally, the use of force or firearms. Firearms are to be used only when there is imminent danger or in self-defense.
The CIDG investigation concluded that there was no actual threat during the incident, and the actions taken by the OSAA contradicted basic security protocols. Morico described the situation as a potential case of "panic firing" and indicated that the actions were based on misinformation suggesting that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents were planning to storm the Senate to arrest Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.
Efforts are underway to determine who conveyed the misleading information to Aplasca. Morico emphasized how misinformation can affect perceptions of hostility and imminent danger. Despite surrendering his 9mm firearm, Aplasca reportedly ignored a CIDG summon, and investigators have yet to confirm whether his firearm was used during the incident.
Police findings revealed 44 spent cartridges recovered from the Senate premises, fired from four different firearms. Sen. Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, departed the Senate in the early hours of May 14, shortly after the shooting. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed that Dela Rosa left around 2:30 a.m. in a vehicle owned by Sen. Robin Padilla.
